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George Mason physicist receives NSF CAREER award for topological quantum computing research

Colleen Rich — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 18:41:33 +0000

George Mason physicist receives NSF CAREER award for topological quantum computing research Colleen Rich Tue, 08/20/2024 - 14:41

Fereshte Ghahari Kermani, assistant professor in physics and astronomy in ��AV’s College of Science, received the prestigious Early Career Development (CAREER) Program grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue her research on the complex quantum phases in graphene materials.

Fereshte Ghahari Kermani. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

In 2023, Ghahari was the first faculty member at George Mason to receive the competitive U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Award to advance quantum technologies, and now she is the first to receive CAREER awards from both the DOE and NSF.

Ghahari’s study “Topological order and edge states in fractional quantum Hall systems” will focus on the complex quantum phases in graphene materials, which could be utilized in the development of future quantum technologies. For this project, Ghahari will investigate a specific topological phase of matter known as the fractional quantum Hall effect, which she first discovered in graphene in 2009. This phenomenon that appears in two-dimensional electron systems under high magnetic fields and ultra-low temperatures can support new particles that serve as the building blocks for topological quantum computers.

“By looking at how the charges flow and the heat they carry in response to a temperature gradient, we can measure entropy, or the degree of randomness, which can reveal the topological properties of these new particles and if they can be used in future topological quantum computers,” she explained.

Topological quantum computers allow for complex calculations out of reach of standard computing schemes. Quantum bits (qubits), which are used in conventional quantum computing, are more susceptible to errors due to environmental noise and other factors. Topological qubits, however, are prone to these types of errors.

“Studying these specific phases may also provide valuable insights into one of the long-standing problems in cosmology known as the “blackhole paradox” that addresses the loss of information in blackholes,” Ghahari said.

“Ghahari’s research and programmatic efforts continue to receive well-deserved attention,” said Department of Physics and Astronomy Chair Ernest Barreto. “Our quantum computing and materials academic offerings and research support continue to grow, thanks to such innovative research, outreach, and partnerships,” Barreto said.

Students working on Ghahari’s research team will create tiny graphene heterostructures on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus, and subsequently use nanofabrication equipment at a nearby project collaborator, the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), to integrate the quantum nanodevices. Finally, they will use a low temperature cryostat located at Ghahari’s lab at George Mason to measure these devices at extremely low temperatures and high magnetic fields.

As part of this award, Ghahari will design an education plan to educate George Mason community on quantum nanoscience research by leveraging her unique expertise and established collaborations, which can enhance and expand the existing infrastructure. This plan also includes promoting outreach and educational opportunities for students and underrepresented groups by offering seminars and additional quantum courses. She seeks to introduce quantum concepts to high school students to foster awareness and cultivate interest at an earlier age. According to Ghahari, mentorship plays an essential role in a student’s academic experience.

“Mentoring is crucial,” Ghahari said. “As a student, I often sought inspiration. Now, I strive to share my passion and interest in the subject as I work with students.”

With the NSF support, Ghahari’s study will receive $564,695 over the course of five years.

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FOCUS summer program marks a decade of engaging middle-school girls in STEM

Colleen Rich — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 20:36:39 +0000

FOCUS summer program marks a decade of engaging middle-school girls in STEM Colleen Rich Wed, 08/14/2024 - 16:36

��AV’s popular FOCUS outreach program marks its 10th anniversary this summer and continues to expand its science and tech immersion programs.

From left, FOCUS Camp founders Danielle Craddock, Kelly Knight, and Padmanabhan Seshaiyer with the 2024 campers. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

FOCUS stands for Females of Color and those Underrepresented in STEM, and when the camp is in session, the middle schoolers and their counselors can be seen moving around George Mason’s Fairfax Campus in their brightly colored t-shirts as they immerse themselves in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities from coding and building a robotic arm to viewing distant planets at the Observatory.

For the past decade, FOCUS Camp day programs have invited rising sixth- through eighth-graders to participate in interactive and hands-on workshops. The first year brought 18 girls to campus, with support from donors including the Business Women’s Giving Circle of the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia. Since then, the program has served more than 460 campers—filling to capacity each year within hours of opening admission.

The program’s founders include George Mason mathematics professor Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, forensic science professor Kelly Knight, former biology professor Claudette Davis, and George Mason alumna Danielle Craddock, MAIS ’11, the founder of Girls Inspired and Ready to Lead Inc. (GIRL). Knight now leads planning efforts on behalf of the College of Science’s STEM Accelerator Program and has remained steadfast in the FOCUS mission to introduce young women of color to STEM fields and nurture their scientific curiosities.

“We always assess participants the day they begin camp and the day they leave, and it’s truly rewarding to see how much their interest in STEM spikes,” Knight said. “On average, interest rises about 30%, which is huge.”

Professor Karen Sauer and Kelly Knight work with campers to create their own spectrometers. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

With the program’s success and an interest from camp alumni wanting to return, organizers expanded in 2018 to also offer the George Mason College of Science FOCUS Academy—a more advanced and immersive college experience for high school students that further expands STEM topics and incorporates college prep, goal setting, and other classes designed to build their confidence, enhance their leadership skills, and support their social and physical wellness. These workshops cover forensic science, chemistry, bioinformatics, mathematics, and astronomy, which also happen to be areas of specialization for George Mason.

“I’ve had participants tell me that being around other young girls of color affected the way they felt about attending a STEM program and helped them feel more comfortable when participating,” said Knight. “It helps them gain the skills and confidence they need when they move on to less inclusive spaces, to know that they can be successful.”

And it’s not only the FOCUS attendees who feel the impact. Knight said the George Mason undergraduate students who serve as counselors feel it too. Some have moved on to teaching careers in STEM subjects, while others have launched their own nonprofits for young girls in STEM.

George Mason alumna Jade Kirkland said the FOCUS camp is the highlight of her summer. Kirkland had just finished her first year at George Mason as a forensic science major when she received the email about volunteering at FOCUS. Since then, she’s graduated from George Mason with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forensic science and now works in a biotechnology lab in Manassas, Virginia. She said she saves her personal time off each year so she can take one week off to come back to George Mason to serve as a FOCUS counselor.

“What brings me back every year is the fact that I get to have an impact on these girls at a young age and let them know that STEM isn’t just for the boys,” said Kirkland, who has worked as a FOCUS counselor since the beginning. “It’s something I didn’t have when I was that age.”

As a FOCUS counselor, Kirkland makes sure each camp participant gets as much out of the week as possible. That includes answering questions in workshops, sharing her own experiences as a forensic scientist, guiding them across the college campus, and ensuring a safe space for them to learn.

FOCUS participants viewed microfossils under a microscope and learned how they are used to investigate past climates and reconstruct ancient ocean conditions. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

“I have as much fun participating in the activities as they do, and it’s amazing to watch how they think through things,” said Kirkland, describing a lab she and the campers participated in last year to explore chemistry topics. Each made their own small bottle of perfume. “I get a new perspective of STEM every year through these girls, and it makes me fall in love with science all over again.”

In 2021, the program expanded further to offer FOCUS MOST, led by Seshaiyer, a professional development program for K-12 STEM teachers that encourages the design of STEM workshops for camp participants that can then be brought back to their schools.

“It’s not just the 50 girls coming each summer who are impacted,” said Knight. “It’s these teachers who are now taking methods back to their own schools. Along with the counselors mentoring these young girls who choose to continue to work even after they leave George Mason.”

So, what comes next? Knight said that there is still work to be done. While efforts to increase an interest in STEM for middle school and high school students have been effective, she said more needs to happen to influence representation at the college and early-career levels.

“We need to expand the ecosystem of support for students so that they can continue to thrive in STEM even when they’re in college or at the professional level,” she said. “We’re not seeing enough change in the numbers because there’s not enough support once students approach graduation and enter the workforce.”

The next FOCUS program expansion will consider ways to support women of color at the college level as they navigate the STEM fields and choose what they want to do after they graduate. And Knight said she also wants to extend the program’s reach.

“Thinking bigger about what it means to have impact on not just students local to Virginia, but on a national and international level, I think is going be another next phase for us for sure.”

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PhD student’s research on COVID-19 transmission leads to discovery of a major model gap

Colleen Rich — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 20:52:40 +0000

PhD student’s research on COVID-19 transmission leads to discovery of a major model gap Colleen Rich Fri, 08/09/2024 - 16:52

Scientists have long studied the spread of diseases, but the emergence of COVID-19 and its profound impact on society have underscored the critical need to understand where and how diseases spread. As ��AV doctoral student Jericho McLeod reviewed literature on disease transmission as part of his work toward a PhD in computational science and informatics, he and George Mason professor Eduardo López noticed a gap in the models and now seek to correct it.

From left, PhD student and George Mason alum Jericho McLeod with Professor Eduardo López in front of their research poster at the International Pandemic Sciences Conference at Oxford University. Photo provided

In trying to understand why disease transmissions were worse in some areas over others, McLeod and López dove into COVID-19 data looking specifically at extended family ties—meaning family members beyond the nuclear family of parents and children, such as cousins, aunts, uncles, or grandparents.

“According to research on social networks in the United States, individuals during crises like COVID-19, contract their social circles yet become more active with them,” said McLeod. “During lockdown, you saw your friends less, but may have still delivered groceries to your grandmother regularly.”

Studies by McLeod, López, and George Mason PhD student Unchitta Kan previously confirmed that people migrated closer to family more frequently after the pandemic began and that availability of extended family plays a primary factor in influencing face-to-face interaction, laying the groundwork for this research. Now, McLeod and López wanted to know if these extended family ties played a role in the spread of COVID-19.

With the help of Kan and doctoral students Bryan Adams, Valentin Vergara Hidd, and Mailun (Alan) Zhang, they aimed to confirm that these networks mattered enough to warrant future research and updates to disease modeling.

The team gathered obituaries in the Unites States between 2020 to 2022 to examine familial relationships with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data on deaths by geography, age, and gender. They found that during COVID-19, there were more instances of multiple family members dying within short periods (e.g., 60 days) compared to 2018 and 2019, where such cases were less common. This rise in deaths aligns with CDC data on excess deaths but is more noticeable between different waves of the pandemic. So, should these relationships be considered in models demonstrating the spread of disease? McLeod says yes.

In July, McLeod presented his research at the International Pandemic Sciences Conference at Oxford University and was awarded best poster presentation in the epidemiology, data and analytics category.

“I am very proud of our work, and it has been collaborative in every way,” said López, who is an associate professor of computational data sciences. “Jericho has a strong ability to work through the data engineering portion of a problem, but also has the intuition necessary to make this research happen. We were optimistic that we would see the effects that we did, and now we have this great opportunity to study something that people have just completely overlooked.”

McLeod earned a degree in accounting from the University of South Alabama before attending George Mason to earn an MBA. In one of his business courses at the Costello College of Business taught by Pallab Sanyal, professor of information systems and operations management, McLeod was introduced to data analytics and machine learning—and found it fascinating. He went on complete a graduate certificate in data analytics at George Mason before deciding to pursue a PhD.

“Attending the [Oxford] conference was so energizing,” McLeod said. “It brought together a collection of top minds, and Dr. López knew the right people to introduce me to, which led to additional conversations, ideation, and thoughts on future directions for this research.”

George Mason’s Graduate Student Travel Fund, offered by the Office of the Provost, supported McLeod’s trip to the Oxford-based conference.

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George Mason researchers lead breakthrough study to find functional cure for HIV

Colleen Rich — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 20:04:51 +0000

George Mason researchers lead breakthrough study to find functional cure for HIV Colleen Rich Thu, 07/25/2024 - 16:04

Researchers in ��AV’s Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR) and Tulane National Primate Research Center conducted a breakthrough proof-of-concept study, published in Nature’s Gene Therapy, that found a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-like virus particle that could cease the need for lifelong medications. Scientists have made great strides in the treatment of HIV over the past few decades, yet those with the virus must still take antiretroviral therapy for life as the disease is difficult to eradicate.

Yuntao Wu. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

CIDR researchers led by Yuntao Wu, a professor in George Mason’s School of Systems Biology and the principal investigator of the National Institutes of Health-funded study, developed a special HIV-like virus particle, called HIV Rev-dependent lentiviral vector, that uses an HIV protein, Rev, as a trigger to selectively target and activate therapeutic genes in HIV-infected cells.

The Mason team, including Brian Hetrick, Mark Spear, Jia Guo, Huizhi Liang, Yajing Fu, Zhijun Yang, and Ali Andalibi, has been developing the HIV Rev-dependent vector technology since 2002.

According to Wu, patients need to take medications for the rest of their lives because of the persistence of HIV reservoirs, which are infected immune cells harboring the virus. Currently, antiretroviral therapy used by patients can effectively block the virus but cannot eliminate the viral reservoirs. Experimental approaches such as “shock and kill” and “block and lock” of the reservoirs have been in development to either eliminate or silence viral reservoirs.

Wu said the HIV Rev-dependent lentiviral vector technology that his team has been developing uses a different approach, which relies on the HIV Rev protein to selectively target reservoirs for killing or for inactivation.

“Our approach shows signs of not only reducing viral reservoirs but also boosting the immune system to produce antiviral neutralizing antibodies,” said Wu. “Think about turning a bad guy into a good one.”

The reservoir cells can be targeted by the Rev-dependent vector and be turned into releasing defective viruses that can act as a vaccine to stimulate neutralizing antibodies. Wu’s team named this new approach “rehab and redeem” of the HIV reservoirs.

Scientists at Tulane National Primate Research Center, including Summer Siddiqui, Lara Doyle-Meyers, Bapi Pahar, Ronald S. Veazey, Jason Dufour, and Binhua Ling, collaborated with Wu’s team to test this technology on monkeys infected with SIVmac239 (a virus similar to HIV), finding in one monkey that the virus levels in the blood and brain have been reduced to undetectable most of the time for over two years after ceasing antiretroviral therapy.

According to Hetrick, this approach shows promise in controlling the presence of virus in the blood and opens new avenues for developing effective treatments for HIV without relying on daily antiretrovirals. “Our proof-of-concept animal studies demonstrate a step forward in the fight against this virus, bringing us closer to innovative and potentially transformative therapies for HIV patients,” said Hetrick.

This proof-of-concept study signals what technologies could come for the 1.2 million people in the United States and 39 million worldwide (as of 2022) with HIV who depend on medications to keep the virus under control. Additional funded studies are needed to expand and optimize the animal studies, followed by human clinical trials serving as the next pivotal steps for the development of the new treatment.

Wu thanked the NYCDC AIDS Ride organized by Marty Rosen that raised funding to keep his team going in early years, leading to the more recent NIH-supported animal trial.

“It took us 20 years to walk the first step, we will certainly keep going,” Wu said.

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George Mason partners with the Shenandoah Valley educational institutions to launch lab school focused on data literacy

Colleen Rich — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 12:43:24 +0000

George Mason partners with the Shenandoah Valley educational institutions to launch lab school focused on data literacy Colleen Rich Sun, 07/14/2024 - 08:43

The Virginia Board of Education approved funding for ��AV to launch the Shenandoah Valley Rural Regional College Partnership Laboratory School for Data Science, Computing, and Applications (DSCA).

This is a collaborative partnership between the university and Frederick County Public Schools, as well as six rural and rural-fringe school districts in the Shenandoah Valley including Clarke County, Fauquier County, Page County, Shenandoah County, Warren County, and Winchester Public Schools, along with Mountain Vista Governor’s School and Laurel Ridge Community College.

This recently approved Virginia Lab School, one of 14 in the state and the second for George Mason, will support 10th through 12th grade students through academic programming that fosters data literacy and showcases the latest innovations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Programming will cover data science and computing, research opportunities, apprenticeships and internships, experiential and project-based learning, certifications and microcredentials in data analytics, opportunities to earn an associate’s degree and college credits, as well as work-based learning opportunities. Students begin preparing for the lab-school during their sophomore year, with programming starting in their junior and senior years.

“The vision is to create a data literate workforce empowered with skills, knowledge, and the mindset necessary to solve problems in a data driven world,” said George Mason mathematical sciences professor Padhu Seshaiyer who will lead the effort.

Padhu Seshaiyer. Photo by Office of University Branding

But how do you foster data literacy?

Seshaiyer said that traditionally courses start by teaching students key STEM theories and models, followed by guidance on applying these concepts to problem-solving. In contrast, the DSCA lab school will reverse this approach by guiding students through identifying the initial question they wish to address motivated by a real-world problem and then navigating the data to find solutions.

“If you want to know the best place to swim in the Shenandoah River, what data do you need to determine the answer?” Seshaiyer gave as an example. “Students might first collect samples to measure bacteria upstream versus downstream or look up information on public databases.”

This, he explained, would be followed by students cleaning and processing the collected data before interpreting the numbers. “This is a very powerful step where students would be able to visualize the data so they can better understand and explain the process,” he said. “It helps build their competencies of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.”

Seshaiyer emphasized that project-based learning will be a large part of DSCA lab school.

The school’s physical location will be in Frederick County and run by George Mason in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education and Frederick County Public Schools. George Mason will offer programming for students, teachers, and parents from all partnering divisions. Courses will take place online through George Mason, Laurel Ridge Community College, and the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC), beyond the students’ regular coursework within their respective districts.

Seshaiyer brings invaluable leadership to the lab school as a member of two boards appointed by the state—the Virginia STEM Education Advisory Board and the Virginia Board of Workforce Development—that host important conversations about closing the gaps between the educational enterprise and workforce development. He also currently serves as the chair of the U.S. National Academies Commission on Mathematics Instruction and has been selected to represent the United States at the General Assembly at the International Congress on Mathematics Education. He also served as the higher ed lead for the implementation of the first-ever Virginia high school data science standards, course and curriculum.

“We need to be thinking about data in the age of artificial intelligence,” said Seshaiyer. “While there are algorithms that can help clean and analyze data, they also can come with certain biases.”

“This information fuels innovation, decision making, and the digital landscape,” said Cody W. Edwards, the interim dean of George Mason’s College of Science and SMSC executive director, who is collaborating on the project. “It’s therefore important to have a handle on the reliability of this data. Without reliable data, we cannot acquire meaningful insights.”

“Providing students at the DSCA lab school options to enhance their data science experience will greatly enhance Virginia’s STEM workforce,” said Edwards.

The DSCA lab school will officially begin fall 2025 with online offerings starting in the 2024-25 academic year.

George Mason is also working with Northern Virginia Community College and Loudoun County Public Schools to launch the Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy, which will incorporate employability skills, innovative teaching and learning methods, and experiences co-designed with industry partners, researchers, and instructional faculty.

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George Mason scientists explore adhesives to advance preservation of historical texts

Colleen Rich — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:49:44 +0000

George Mason scientists explore adhesives to advance preservation of historical texts Colleen Rich Thu, 07/11/2024 - 14:49

What does science have to do with the conservation of historical texts? Everything.

Doctoral student Rocío Prisby. Photo provided

Rocío Prisby, a biosciences doctoral student at ��AV, led the first comprehensive analysis of proteins found within wheat starch-based and flour-based pastes used in historic texts.

This study produced a working database for historians to cross-reference for their own samples that will ultimately result in greater understanding of the evolution of adhesives, while also providing a starting point to determine the best conservation practices for bookbinding and paper conservation.

Each sample tells a story—someone in the 1500s mixing flour, water, and milk in a large bowl to create a paste that binds paper; another in the 1600s hoping to improve their glue’s viscosity with a dash of egg. But each story is different, and the uncertainty in these mixtures reinforces the need for a central database to aid in historical research.

“We still don’t know when in human history people stopped mixing flour and water and shifted to starches,” said Prisby, who also has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from George Mason. “So, you can’t make any assumptions for what a book’s glue makeup might be.”

Prisby worked alongside George Mason researchers Alessandra Luchini and Lance Liotta of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, as well as Caroline Solazzo from the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute. Their study, published in the Journal of Proteome Research, involved extracting wheat proteins from three small leather cover samples obtained from the National Library of Medicine.

Photo by Getty Images

Their methodology sought to establish a protocol capable of identifying wheat proteins, along with collagen and other proteins commonly found in leather and adhesives. The results were then compared to a database containing collagen proteins from various sources like cattle, sheep, goats, and chicken eggs, as well as wheat proteins from common wheat.

Analysis of historical samples indicates a shift away from using whole wheat for glue production towards the use of starch-based glues. This transition has led to a noticeable decrease in protein content, as the starch extraction process significantly reduces the protein levels in the final product.

Consequently, samples containing starch-based glue exhibit considerably lower protein concentrations compared to those containing traditional wheat-based glue. Environmental conditions and extraction techniques also influence protein composition. Prisby said understanding the chemical changes in wheat-based adhesives is crucial for conservation and restoration practices, particularly in comprehending the degradation of samples over time.

The study’s researchers suggest that further investigation into wheat pastes and other plant-based adhesives should consider a diverse array of factors, including preparation methods, additives, aging processes, and the extensive variety and composition of the raw materials used.

A native of Argentina, Prisby (formerly Cornero) began her chemistry studies at a local university before moving to the United States. She continued her studies at Northern Virginia Community College and was in the first ADVANCE cohort to transfer to George Mason.

Prisby began researching proteins as an undergraduate in the College of Science’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). In that early research, she studied the proteins in honey to monitor the health of the local environment while also seeking to identify a biomarker that might detect and diagnose diseases in honey bees.

It was through that project that Prisby met Luchini and became interested in her lab’s work in proteomics.

“Dr. Luchini is a great mentor. She dedicates so much time to her students,” said Prisby. “It doesn’t matter what knowledge or experience level you’re at, she meets you where you are.”

When Prisby graduated from George Mason with her undergraduate degree in chemistry, it was Luchini who encouraged her to pursue a PhD in Biosciences.

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Graduate student uncovers possible solution to save Virginia plant species

Colleen Rich — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:29:42 +0000

Graduate student uncovers possible solution to save Virginia plant species Colleen Rich Mon, 06/24/2024 - 11:29

An endangered perennial plant native to south-central United States now has a fighting chance thanks to the efforts of ��AV master’s student Emily Poindexter.

Emily Poindexter. Photo provided

Poindexter, who is pursuing a master’s in environmental science and policy, received funding from the Virginia Native Plant Society to support her study of Ozark Milkvetch, a small, perennial plant native to south-central United States, as well as parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. While widely distributed in the south-central region, this species only grows on shale barrens in the mid-Atlantic, particularly in Virginia where it is currently classified as critically imperiled, meaning at risk of extinction.

“Everything has a cascading effect,” Poindexter said. “The protection of a single plant species can lead to conservation of its specific ecosystem and habitat. That habitat may be home to an entire community of organisms who now also benefit from that protection.”

Ozark Milkvetch was believed to be extinct in Virginia until George Mason researcher Andrea Weeks and a team of students, faculty, and alumni found a population on Short Mountain in Shenandoah County in 2022.

Poindexter works alongside Weeks, an associate professor in the Department of Biology and director of Ted R. Bradley Herbarium, who specializes in the systematics, historical biogeography, and evolution of flowering plants. Weeks is supervising Poindexter in the comparison of DNA sequence data from the two varieties of Ozark Milkvetch to determine its taxonomy, diversity, and evolutionary history.

Poindexter said that she’s hypothesizing the Ozark Milkvetch populations in the mid-Atlantic have evolved independently from those in the south-central United States. This study is the first to use comparative genetics methods to test whether this is the case. In doing so, Poindexter will be able to update the species’ conservation status and guide future conservation strategies.

A George Mason team discovered a population of Ozark Milkvetch in 2022. Photo by Andrea Weeks

Poindexter also works at the U.S. National Herbarium at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, where her existing love for botany has evolved into an interest in systematics—the study of species characteristics and how they relate to other species as it relates to conservation. This added interest inspired Poindexter’s decision to pursue a master’s degree to move her career forward and work on a conservation and systematics research project.

As part of her current study, Poindexter traveled to the south-central United States to seek out populations of Ozark Milkvetch and compare their genetics with those that grow locally in Virginia. Acting as a detective, she used entries from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility database and posts from the citizen science app, iNaturalist, to locate the species in real-time and analyze historical data to show where this species may have previously flourished but no longer exists.

“We know the behaviors of human beings affects the ecology of the planet, and we would really like to understand how to mitigate that impact,” said Weeks of the project. “But the fact is, we don’t fully understand how our ecosystems work. We need to continue learning about these systems individually so we can put the pieces back together.”

Poindexter also hopes her work inspire other students to participate in research. “I think students often feel they don’t have enough background or expertise to participate in research. However, I’m really a big proponent for just trying things and seeing where it gets you,” she said. “Sometimes things just align, they work out, and you end up in a better place than you ever expected—at least that was the case for me. Throw your hat in the ring and learn as you go. Find a mentor you can trust, offer them an idea or even just your time, and then be open to the opportunities that follow.”

All analytical work for the Ozark Milkvetch will be complete by Summer 2025, and Poindexter anticipates graduating in the following academic year.

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Mason-Led System Supports Crops and Environment

Rebecca Kobayashi — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:14:15 +0000

Mason-Led System Supports Crops and Environment Rebecca Kobayashi Tue, 11/07/2023 - 14:14

With support from the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator, a Mason team is designing a CropSmart Digital Twin—a public-facing decision support system that provides the crop farming industry with real-time data and optimal decision advice. The team’s goal is to help increase U.S. agricultural production by 40 percent while also cutting the country’s environmental footprint in half by 2050.

The CropSmart Digital Twin will measure data from machinery like this center-pivot irrigation system. Photo courtesy of Liping Di

Liping Di, director of Mason’s Center for Spatial Information Science and Systems, leads the multidisciplinary research team building scientific data modeling tools to take the guesswork out of crop management decisions. Di will work with researchers from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Kansas State University, Purdue University, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, and Mississippi State University, as well as end users from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and farms in the Midwest.

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Mason physicist receives university’s first DOE Early Career Award

Colleen Rich — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:38:46 +0000

Mason physicist receives university’s first DOE Early Career Award Colleen Rich Wed, 10/25/2023 - 10:38

��AV researcher Fereshte Ghahari Kermani recently received the highly competitive U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Award. She is the first Mason faculty member to receive this honor, one that highlights the significance of her contributions to the field of condensed matter physics.

This recognition supports scientists across the county whose work pushes the boundaries of scientific advancement and helps solidify the United States as a driver of science and innovation around the world.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Ghahari’s study “Probing Correlated Phenomena in Graphene Constrictions” seeks to discover new pathways that will advance the development of novel quantum computing devices. To propel quantum technologies forward, Ghahari, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will look specifically at quantum electronic properties of charge carriers in graphene—a single atom thick layer of graphite—nanostructures.

Her research will address fundamental physics questions including whether a novel type of superconducting qubit can be designed by twisting graphene layers, as well as the properties of emergent particles of specific topological phases of matter. A qubit refers to a basic unit of quantum computing, such as the spin of an electron.

In search for these questions, Ghahari and her team will design and realize artificial potential landscapes in tiny graphene devices. Then they measure these devices at ultra-low temperatures and strong magnetic fields to probe correlated phases in their tunable dimensionalities.

“This research helps to develop new types of qubits by understanding specific quantum electron properties of particles when traveling through these constrictions,” Ghahari said.

Ghahari’s study was selected by the DOE’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences and will receive $875K over the course of five years. “It is nice to be recognized. This funding will support my career goals to make meaningful advances leading to the scientific insights required for the advancement of technologies based on quantum physics, “Ghahari said.

Ghahari’s past research has been in pursuit of understanding novel correlated and topological phenomena in graphene. She has made pioneering contributions to the field early in her career from the discovery of fractional quantum Hall effect and hydrodynamic thermal transport to Berry phase switch and quantum Hall wedding cakes in graphene nano devices.

Interested in Ghahari’s research? View another study currently in progress and her work recently published in Science.

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A Tasty Spin on Chemistry

Lynn Tierney — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 16:15:29 +0000

A Tasty Spin on Chemistry Lynn Tierney Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:15

The aroma of garlic and onions hits instantly as you walk into the classroom. Five pairs of students shuffle around their assigned stovetop—one in the pair looking intently at a sheet of paper and spouting directions while the other handles the pan of sizzling ingredients.

Students tackle a risotto recipe in CHEM 460 Chemistry in the Kitchen. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services.

As they work, Mason chemistry and biochemistry Professor Rebecca Jones moves from station to station to check in on each group. She created the recipe for the risotto they are all cooking for lab and wants to be sure the students not only think through the steps, but also pay close attention to what is chemically happening to each ingredient.

Chemistry in the Kitchen (CHEM 460) is a new course that uses everyday recipes to demonstrate chemical concepts. After the idea came to Jones a year ago, she developed the course and worked closely with the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies to secure the Nutrition Kitchen in Peterson Hall for the lab component.

“Every kitchen is a lab when you think about it,” said Jones. “This class is designed to help students learn what molecules and chemical changes are associated with the food they’re eating.”

The class session covering molecular extraction was quickly followed by a lab with students using ingredients to make pour-over coffee to tangibly see this chemical concept take place as the hot water poured onto coffee beans created a brown liquid.

Rebecca Jones shows the risotto taught in class. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services.

“The cooking experiments really reinforce your understanding of the topics you learn in class,” said biology major Wilson Plummer. “You’ll touch on a topic, and then get to see it in action.”

Plummer said he liked the interactive nature of the class most, learning about caramelization one day, and making caramels the next, or listening to information on starch hydration and then baking bread.

While students partake in their lab assignment, they routinely take out their phones to capture images of the recipe’s current state from several angles. Instead of the traditional lab report, Jones requires the student to publish a blog post that incorporates photos throughout the cooking process so classmates see differences between their food and comment on each other’s work.

“Sometimes everyone does a slightly different thing while cooking, so they can benefit from seeing those differences in photos,” Jones said.

Students also design and execute their own food experiment, and they did not hold back on creativity. One student tested how sugar interacted with different gelling agents to make the best gummy bears; another measured fermentation’s effect on homemade hot sauces.

Juliana Primavera, a senior chemistry major, said the class combined her love for both cooking and chemistry and that she didn’t want to pass on an opportunity to learn from Jones. “Chemistry majors welcome such opportunities to be creative in our classes,” she says. “The cooking element not only gives us the hands-on experience that allows us to truly understand what's going on, [but] it also makes it engaging, memorable, and fun.”

Inspired by a lab where they made caramel sauce earlier in the semester, Plummer decided to focus his final experiment on soft caramels—more specifically how fat (e.g., dairy milk vs coconut milk) impacts the crystal structure of caramel.

After a few weeks of experimentation, students presented their findings to the class and showcased their work at a public poster session in May.

Primavera’s final project will focus on the effect of varying lye concentrations on pretzel texture. “I wanted to find a recipe that I knew I would use continually, would be complicated chemically, and because I love soft pretzels so much, I figured it would be a perfect learning opportunity.”

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A Tasty Spin on Chemistry

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